Archives for March 2017

One of my favorite things about the Rio Grande Valley in South Texas is how colorful it is, literally and figuratively. From the deep blue skies to the green and purple cabbage fields, the food, the smiling faces, and the many intersecting cultures that collide down here along the border of Mexico.

I first visited the town of Harlingen about a year and a half ago to see the original Iwo Jima Monument. Check out my post Exploring the Rio Grande Valley to see the photos and learn more about other nearby towns in the area!

It wasn’t until a few weeks ago that I decided to go back and explore the historic downtown area. I was expecting the typical old brick buildings you usually encounter in small towns, but instead was greeted by a colorful array of unique buildings and murals. Downtown Harlingen really displays the color of the region, while still embracing the history and cultures. Scroll down to see what I mean 📷🎨

If you love mushrooms like me, then you’re going to love this recipe! Not only are mushrooms delicious and a great meat substitute, but they contain antioxidants, vitamin D, selenium, B vitamins and more! This recipe has two easy elements: the veggies and the cheese sauce. We’re going to start with a mixture of sauteed onion, spinach and baby bellas, then spoon them into meaty portobello mushrooms and smother it all in cashew cheese sauce. Tastes great served with quinoa or brown rice. Hearty, flavorful, and full of nutrients!

Before we get going, let me talk about this cashew cheese for a moment, because it’s so good I could literally eat it in a bowl by itself. Just like many of my dessert recipes tend to include chocolate, I’m noticing many of my dinner recipes are tending to include this cashew cheese sauce. But hey, chocolate and cheese, two things people don’t want to give up when they go vegan – and they don’t have to!

I don’t know about you, but coffee plays a very important role in my life. Not only do I need a strong cup of coffee in the morning to complete my breakfast routine, but as a writer I often need the stimulation of coffee while I work, as well as the idea of a warm mug or cup next to me to facilitate the creative process. I try to stick with just 1-2 cups of coffee per day, and I’ve learned to substitute hot tea or other beverages so coffee overload isn’t affecting my sleep or giving me the jitters during the day.

Here enters the latest “fad” in the health foods world – Coconut Oil Supercharged Coffee. It plays off the idea of the Bulletproof Coffee, where coffee is brewed and mixed in a blender with grass-fed butter to create a foamy latte that contains “healthy fats” for a mental and physical boost. Although grass-fed better may have it’s merits, especially compared to more generic butter, it’s still dairy – not ideal and not cruelty free. But some amazing person came up with the vegan version! Instead of butter, use plant-based fats from coconut oil. It doesn’t have any of the negative health effects of butter and it doesn’t involve using animals or animal product.

I made Coconut Oil Supercharged Coffee nearly every day this past fall and winter, and guess what? I didn’t get sick at all, other than a brief allergy stint upon moving from one region of Texas to another (climate changes tend to affect me like that). My rockin’ immune system was courtesy of the coconut oil, which is a natural anti-bacterial and antiseptic. It’s also loaded with healthy fats for your brain and it makes your coffee taste like a million times better! A foamy, dreamy latte you can make yourself with two ingredients.

I’m super excited about today’s post because I made another video and it’s an easy 2-in-1 beauty hack that is all natural! The majority of skin and beauty products on the market contain chemicals and preservatives, even if they claim to be “all natural.” Our skin, especially on the face, is so delicate – too delicate to be slathering chemicals onto – because your skin absorbs anything you put on it.

Treat your skin kindly and it will stay nice and smooth for you a lot longer. And your teeth too! I can’t even imagine all the yucky chemicals found in whitening products, and even some toothpastes too. That’s why I made a video for this simple Turmeric Face & Tooth Mask. It’s full of amazing nutrients. Try it out yourself and see what you think!

HEY THERE! I’M JILLIAN.

I live along the border of Mexico in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas and create cruelty-free recipes that are delicious! I'm here to show you that it's easy to follow a plant based lifestyle. Not only are the health and beauty benefits noticeable, but it creates a more sustainable planet and keeps our animal friends safe & happy. I also love books, music, dark chocolate, and the great outdoors. LEARN MORE…

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